The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-18
THE JULLABAD TRAGEDY

.-DARKENING.

The sight OF thatp policeman lounging ut
The door temporarily took away my power
OF speech. II was the visible realization
Of what | previously regarded as either ma
icious cruelty or the baseless folly OF inn
aginaiion.
"Col. Jack" | said at last, "you surely
do not believe that?"
The colonel shook his head. 81 believe
nothing until it is proven" he answered.
81 am ~ gricyed as you are, young man,
thai this should be Mn. Humby's situa-
ton poor child, poor child But the
charge IL raised, and her innocence must
be cleared. / shall be as glad as any to
Bee il cleared. But until that is done
well, ! need not 90 ON. Do you wish to
see heff'
81 came here for hat purpose. Ishould
be very glad To speak with Mrs. Humby-
il she will see me-"
Col. Jack, without another word, left
me. And o | began TO feel the natural
embarrassment incident to my present po-
sition. How should l open my mission
10 her? IL occurred TO me, for the first
time, that her natural indignation against
so foul n charge might transfer itself TO
Inc for my impcrtinencc, as a stranger
and a young man TO boot-in approaching
AN WIN az NhEk'oNlbh NildN y lullbitilNt
needed defending. The thought took n
most uncomfortable hold upon me, and |
began heartily TO wish / had given the
matter more consideration before volun-
tecring upon such an GRAND. However,
here | was and there was Col. Jack, in
her room informing her OF my desire 10
speak with her and | must go through
with IL now. Only, / could hardly rcprcss
uie faint hope that she might either fatty
refuse TO see me, or decline the interview
on some prctcnse OF ~indispOsition. She
did neither. Col. Jack presently appeared,
holding back the chick or blind which
hung over the doorway. To allow her 10
pass. AS hc appeared she glanced toward
mt with u quiet, questioning look. Col.
jack led her 60 where | stood and intro
dnced mc, and then, with a slight bow,
she sat down in the chair which lac hud
left.
The colonel went into the house; and
the policeman, obedient TO a sign from his
superior, retired 10 a distance. We were
quite alone. and | feared for my first words,
|. lest they should be such as 10 create an
uniayonble effect.
I 81 am NOR than doubtful. Mrs. Humby.r
] said, ''as TO whether you have the slight.
test recollection Of having met me before
you came TO India; / hardly think you
can. Tut my having seen YOU then is the
only special explanation OF my intruding
upon YOU now, instead OF many Others who
are equally earnest in their desire TOTO
give you their sympathy and help, should
you accept Il"
She looked mp, gently and gravely aud
aitentively, in my face-as n child might,
% whom you were imparting some serious
and interesting lcsson-and answered: 81
remember you well, Mr.. Everest. ! met
YOU ut Mentonc when | was thcp with my
father. | Slw YOU aitcrward In London, VI
size added. after n moment, at 4 thcatcr
but you did not see me-"
Then. perhaps, you will not mind my
coming hrW nON2'
'Surly not. You have come kindly, |
know. How could | resent tLat? ] an
grateful Tor it-grateful TO every one who
has given IRE sympathy. And-and"-
saw the color dnwning on her white lace,
hut little dreamed what she was goiug 10
Eiy-'and ! owe you personally a worl 0I
thanks, Mr.. Everest, which ! have had NJ
opportunity of speaking until nov. II
only ior that, ann glad you have como.
Her face was crimson now, but she locke
at me full with her clear eycs rs sheaddcd
II remember that night in the garden.
was Frustrated, but not unconscious
remember everything, every word. vii
YOU accept my thanks, Everest
She sid Il simply, without the slightcsI
trciuor in her soft, low voice. | passp,
from the subject Rs quickly rs ! could;
felt an embarrassing warmth suilusing M,
own face. which | would have given In,
world ior her not 10 see.
81 have come here this eycning-Iadl
o'l,eilly," ] added more boldly, "hns com
missiOncl mc-to oiIcr you any help yoJ
may need IN your present circumstances
Mn. llumby. | will not refer TO what on
convictions and feelings arc-but, you viii
let ~ help you? You are alone In
strange country, and this will justify VI il
what We ask"
Thank YOU I thank everybody" Nh,
answered, with a iremor in her tone.
''Thcn YOU will permit mo TO srnal
freely" I eagerly asked. 'Be assure,
that nothing will bc left undone toto
How hard Il was, In the presence 81 tina
pale md fricndless girl, 10 lovely in he
simple dress Of black cashmere, % give ut
tomnco TO the horrible charge which hun.
over her g%uiltlosi head
She was Drawer than | was and save,
me The task. "lou want TO defend mc?'
she said. at Is terrible 10 need defense
/ felt Il still more terrible 10 be alone as
have been until now" The tears bur
from her eyes God help herr how Nh
must have suffered since her solitude WI
changed into a prison.
"No one knows whore or how the accu
saiiun originatcd-no one In the statiol
credits III | answered. "All the same
for your honor We will leave no stone nm
turned 10 discover the guilty party
there has been any guilt-or otherwis
clear up the horid mystery which SUI
rounds that night. You will help Us your
sill, Mrs. Humby; and with what you cal
tell us we shall be able TO succeed In time
We must have n lawyer, and Lady ORE.
ly has herself selected one" All this
spoke rapidly and eagerly.
She dried her tears and rewarded m
zeal with n faint smile. "Alas," she r,
piled, what help can | give your / hav
been questioned 20 much that / can onl
repeat over and over what ] have alread
said. know nothing elsel'
Now, II was very probably her own eS
traordinary narrative Of the events Of tina
night which first turned sinister suspicion
toward her. Col. Jack, honest as he was
was suspicious from the force Of habit dc
rived from his magstenal Office, and th